DNC chair says Rubio raising money at Harlan Crow’s house is ‘gross act of disrespect’

he head of the National Jewish Democratic Council is blasting Sen. Marco Rubio for having a fundraiser on Yom Kippur and at Harlan Crow’s mansion, which contains two artworks by Hitler. You can read that below.

But here’s a statement just released by Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, in which she calls the decision to hold the fundraiser at Crow’s estate “the height of insensitivity and indifference.” It reads, in full:

Paxton Prays for Tea Party’s Blessing at Grapevine Church

GRAPEVINE -- Some would have us believe that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is the author of his own troubles, which at the moment include, but are not limited to, three felony indictments alleging that Paxton committed securities fraud and failed to register as an investment advisor with the state. But those who would speak against Paxton bear false witness, as the congregation at Grapevine’s First Baptist Church learned Sunday morning.

For here is a righteous man! He who has ears, let him hear: in the time of Abbott and in the land of the Metroplex, there lived a man whose name was Ken. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. He had four children and a home in McKinney and some lucrative interests in state contractors. He was the greatest among all the statesmen of the North.

First Baptist is the home church for a number of prominent North Texas tea party activists, and Paxton’s appearance was advertised as a Northeast Tarrant Tea Party event. Paxton and Page never spoke directly about them, but our AG’s legal unpleasantries were a clear subtext of the talk, witnessed by a crowd of several hundred faithful.

During a 20-minute conversation on the church’s unadorned stage, Paxton and First Baptist’s senior pastor, Doug Page, placed the attorney general neatly within the history of Christian martyrs persecuted for speaking biblical truths. They warned of a dark future for America if virtuous men like Paxton are allowed to fall.

Read more: http://www.texasobserver.org/ken-paxton-prays-for-tea-partys-blessing-at-grapevine-baptist-church/

Former New York City mayor Giuliani to speak at Baylor

WACO -- Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani will take to a Baylor University stage Wednesday for a talk with university President Ken Starr.

Giuliani will be the 13th high-profile speaker since 2011 to join Starr for his “On Topic” speaking series.

As mayor, the Republican earned a reputation as an opponent of organized crime and led the city through its recovery after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Giuliani has grabbed media attention recently for negative comments directed at President Barack Obama.

Read more: http://www.wacotrib.com/news/higher_education/former-new-york-city-mayor-giuliani-to-speak-at-baylor/article_c26d6e17-ba09-5b2b-80ef-23f154ae5914.html

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Harker Heights family outraged over super glue poured in daughter's hair bullying incident

HARKER HEIGHTS — Harker Heights High School freshman Hannah Combs loved her hair, but after a bullying incident at school last week, she had to partially shave her head. Now, her parents are calling for justice.

Hannah, 15, arrived at school Sept. 14 and met up with her friends outside the front of the building. While she was talking to one of her friends, a boy came from behind and poured super glue on her head, getting it all over her hair and her scalp.

“It instantly started burning,” Hannah said. “It felt like my head was on fire. It was horrible.”

One of Hannah’s friends called her parents while Hannah went to the nurse’s office to get treated. There, an assistant principal questioned her, but Hannah could barely speak as she waited for the pain to go away.

Read more: http://kdhnews.com/news/education/heights-family-outraged-over-super-glue-in-hair-incident/article_4db5d758-60df-11e5-a9c6-9f05bd0a9c18.html

Texas A&M System announces grant to expand flights at Easterwood Airport

COLLEGE STATION -- The goal of adding flights at Easterwood Airport has received a financial boost from a $475,000 federal grant.

The Texas A&M University System announced Monday that the airport, which is owned by the system and operated by College Station-based Astin Limited, was one of 11 properties from 30 states to be awarded funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Small Community Air Service Development Program.

It could be a while before travelers in Bryan-College Station see more flight options, according to Astin Partners CEO John Clanton, as the airport is still gathering and examining data that will support expansion. While he said it is too early to tell exactly where the airport will expand, documents from the grant program state “funding will be used for a revenue guarantee and marketing support to attract new service between College Station and Atlanta, Georgia.”

“What we want to do is demonstrate factually to our partners that the demand is strong and increasing,” Clanton said. “It’s a long-term process and it will be a while before we start seeing the fruits of this, but that’s OK.”

Read more: http://www.theeagle.com/news/a_m/texas-a-m-system-announces-grant-to-expand-flights-at/article_4ec6caa4-6098-11e5-b576-ffa12ce3a99f.html

‘Sexy Donald Trump’ Halloween costume is now a thing for GOP fans, foes

State Didn't Study Budget Cuts for Children's Therapy

Lawyers for the state were again in Travis County court on Monday defending deep cuts made by state lawmakers to a speech and physical therapy program for poor and disabled children.

Therapists and families have now sued the Texas Health and Human Services Commission twice over the impending budget cuts, which they say will force health professionals to drop out of the program and illegally jeopardize care for some of the state’s most vulnerable residents.

New evidence presented Monday paints a clearer picture of discussions taking place inside the state’s main health agency as it seeks to follow lawmakers’ wishes by slashing by roughly 20 percent the payments therapists receive from Medicaid — the public insurance program for the poor and disabled. A Travis County judge dismissed the previous suit before it went to trial, when the state announced it would delay implementing the cuts until Oct. 1.

The seemingly simple goal to reduce payments has been complicated by some ambiguous language in the state budget, which orders the hefty cuts but also directs the health commission to consider “access to care.” Families of children say the speech, physical and occupational therapy covered by Medicaid can be life-saving — by helping kids learn to nurse, walk and speak, for example — and that the state is poised to limit access by forcing providers to drop out of the program.

Read more: http://www.texastribune.org/2015/09/21/state-says-it-never-studied-how-cuts-will-affect-c/

Fired Dallas prosecutor levels more accusations about Dallas County DA Hawk’s behavior

DALLAS -- A former high-ranking prosecutor under Susan Hawk said Monday that Dallas County’s district attorney occasionally ordered her to turn off her computer when they talked because “people can hear us,” once confronted top staffers about their loyalty and repeatedly tried to misuse public funds.

The allegations by Cindy Stormer, who was fired last week as Hawk’s administrative chief, came on the same day that Hawk informed her staff that she planned to extend her leave of absence from work for an additional two weeks.

Hawk, who took office Jan. 1, has been away from work since late July to battle “a serious episode of depression” at a residential treatment facility. She was expected to return as early as Tuesday, but said she now plans to resume her duties Oct. 2.

In an interview with The Dallas Morning News and an eight-page statement, Stormer provided new details about the office’s inner workings in recent months as Hawk grappled with mental health issues. Stormer is the latest of several fired employees to fire back at Hawk with allegations of bizarre and paranoid behavior by the district attorney.

Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/metro/20150921-fired-dallas-prosecutor-levels-more-accusations-about-hawks-behavior.ece

Earlier threads:
Friends, colleagues say Dallas County DA Susan Hawk spent time in drug rehab March 27. 2015
Dallas County DA absent for three weeks; addiction rumors start swirling August 23, 2015
Dallas Democrats: DA Susan Hawk ‘needs to do her job or resign’ August 24, 2015
Dallas County DA Susan Hawk takes leave to battle depression August 25, 2015
Dallas County DA Susan Hawk is at Texas facility for depression treatment August 26, 2015
Dallas County DA Hawk battled paranoia, had ‘break with reality,’ friend says August 27, 2015
Update: Dallas DA may remain out of office longer than announced September 15, 2015
Dallas County DA Susan Hawk fends off allegations of financial misconduct September 20, 2015

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Follow-up: Former State Representative and HHS Official Convicted of DWI

AUSTIN -- A Travis County jury on Monday convicted former state representative and Texas Health and Human Services general counsel Jack Stick of drunken driving, the latest chapter in year of problems for the former prosecutor and state lawmaker.

Stick, 49, was arrested Sept. 11, 2012 a little more than a year after he joined the health commission. The trial began on Friday in Travis County Court at Law #5 following years of rescheduling. Monday, the former state official wore a stoic expression with the reading of the verdict. Details about Stick's potential punishment were not available Monday night.

Calls for comment to Stick and Greg Burton, Travis County assistant county attorney, were not returned Monday night.

Stick's arrest came after he was named deputy inspector general with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. He eventually became general counsel for state health care agency and was fired nearly a year ago following lawmaker questions over his ties to a software contractor, 21CT. Stick's former business partner was a lobbyist for the company.

Read more: http://www.texastribune.org/2015/09/21/jack-stick-convicted-drunken-driving/

Earlier thread:
Trial Begins for Former State Representative and HHS Official Accused of DWI September 18, 2015